European Union



 European Union (other languages)
(In Detail)
Motto In varietate concordia
English: United in diversity (see European symbols)
Official languages; of the Union See Languages of the European Union
Member states may have other official languages.
Council's President Netherlands
(until 31 December, 2004)
Jan Peter Balkenende
(Prime Minister)
Commission's President Romano Prodi (outgoing)
José Durão Barroso
(from 1 Nov 2004)
Parliament's President Josep Borrell
Area
 - Total 		Ranked 7th *
3,892,685 km2
Population
 - Total (2004)
 - Density 		Ranked 3rd *
454,900,000 (EU 25)
116.4 people/km²
GDP (base PPP)
 - Total (2004)
 - GDP/head 		Ranked 1st *
€ 9.61·10¹² [1]
€ 21,125
Formation
 - Declared
 - Recognised 		Maastricht treaty
7 February, 1992
1 November, 1993
Community Currencies The Euro (EUR or €)
(Eurozone, EU institutions)
Other member states: [1]
In ERM II: DKK, EEK, LTL, SIT.
Not in ERM II: CYP, CZK, GBP, HUF, LVL, MTL, PLN, SEK, SKK.
Time zone UTC 0 to +2
(+1 to +3 during DST)
(with French overseas départements, UTC -4 to +4)
Anthem "Ode to Joy"
(An die Freude)
Internet TLD .eu (planned)
Second level .eu.int in use.
Calling Codes +3 (proposed). Each member state has its own calling code.
In zones 3 and 4.
* if counted as a single country
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The European Union or EU is an international organisation of 25 European states, established by the Treaty on European Union (the Maastricht treaty). Its current legal base is the Treaty of Accession 2003 which entered into force on 1 May, 2004. Its headquarters are in Brussels. See EU treaties for a brief history of the foundation of the EU, European Community (EC, formerly EEC or European Economic Community) and European Parliament.
The European Union has many activities, the most important being a common single market, consisting of a customs union, a single currency (adopted by 12 out of 25 member states), a Common Agricultural Policy and a Common Fisheries Policy. The European Union also has various initiatives to co-ordinate activities of the member states.